Toll-free Wismar Bridge: ‘‘Political handlers’’ are trying to stymie Govt development agenda – Edghill

…slams Linden Mayor for poor financial management

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Monday criticised Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon over his statements on Monday regarding the removal of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge toll.
According to the Mayor, the removal of the bridge toll presents an immediate and significant financial challenge for the Council, as the toll, governed by Act 51:04 (Demerara River (Mackenzie) Bridge Act), has historically contributed some $6 million per month to the Council’s budget.
He further went on to state that Government has not engaged the Council in discussions nor provided any alternative funding solutions to address the substantial budget shortfall that will come as a result of the toll removal. As well as consult the council on how the responsibilities for the new Wismar/Mackenzie maintenance and management will be allocated.

In an invited comment on Monday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill highlighted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration is keen on improving living standards for all Guyanese. As such, Edghill stated that the Mayor and his ‘political handlers’ are trying to stymie the Government’s development agenda.
“It is clear that the Mayor of Linden and his political handlers would like to continue to pass on hardships to the people of Linden and to the people of Guyana. The Government is busy relieving people of hardships brining cost of living down.”
Speaking on the topic of Council financing, Edghill said that with prices as low as $60 for some vehicles to cross the bridge the removal of this toll would not significantly impact the council’s ability to operate.
In fact, Edghill referenced the Kara Kara toll booth highlighting that at this checkpoint tolls average more than $5000 per truck generating a massive amount of revenue for the council. He went on to blast the Mayor for poor financial management noting that these funds are yet to be put to good use.
“The Mayor of Linden should tell you how much money is being collected from the truck toll at the Kara Kara toll booth and what that money has been used for. The toll to cross the Wismar bridge is $80 and so on for a car. It is $8000 and $10000 for a toll at the Kara Kara checkpoint what is the money being used for and why is he complaining?”

Meanwhile, in keeping with the Government’s plans to eliminate bridge tolls, President Irfaan Ali during annual observance to celebrate the life of Dr Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant in Region Six on Sunday announced that effective from August 1, 2025, it will be toll-free to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Berbice Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden.
In August last year, the President had first announced the Government’s plans to make the bridges toll-free in order to lessen the burden on citizens. However, at the time, the intention was to make the bridges toll-free until the new Demerara River Bridge was completed.
In explaining the move, the President had said last year that the Government is looking to ease the burden on citizens while also enhancing the transportation network and improving competitiveness through the efficient movement of goods and services across the country.
New US$35M bridge
Meanwhile, the new US$35 million Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is on track for an early completion. This assurance was given to President Dr Irfaan Ali who was briefed on the bridge’s progress during a visit in January.
During his visit, the Project Manager at the Public Works Ministry, Patrick Thompson had revealed that they are on track for early completion of the bridge while noting that the project is now at 31 per cent complete, with significant advancements anticipated by the end of the year.
Already, the temporary bridge structure has been completed and works have started on the new bridge. In a subsequent physical inspection of the bridge, Thompson also explained the design features.
The new four-lane bridge will have a pre-cast structure running 220 metres long and will include vital safety features such as lighting and signs. It will boast a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres. The new bridge will land some distance away from the original single-lane bridge built by the Demerara Bauxite Company from 1965 to 1967.